Commuting is such a hassle here in the Philippines. Long lines, unsure departure times, and needing to go to the terminal just to buy tickets in advance are a common experience for travelers and passengers.
Especially with the holidays just around the corner, it's good to know that commuters can now enjoy stress-free travels out of town with online bus and boat reservations that lets passengers choose seats for free, claim a variety of freebies, and earn points. Payment options include credit/debit card via Paypal, 7-Eleven, all major banks, and the most common payment centers.
I've been recently married, and one of the ID's that I can instantly apply for is the PHL Postal ID. I've never applied for one before, so it was timely for me to get the newly improved version using my new surname. And so last month, I applied at Allimall in Cubao since the closest branch from our house went through some technical issues at the time of my visit.
PHLPost will no longer release old versions of the postal ID (the laminated ones), as they've opted to change the material of the card to avoid illegal printing. According to PHLPost, added security measures have been instilled in the ID to further secure the integrity of one's identity and to eliminate fraudulent transactions. The Improved Postal ID has been infused with improved physical and biometrics-based security features such as the QR code (which also shows a hologram and ghost image), and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). It is now accepted as a valid government-issued identification document.
My husband and I decided to book this Pasay lodging at the last minute, to forego the stress of having to travel from Quezon City with a big luggage in tow. Good thing it was perfectly situated in the city, as it was just a short drive to the airport (NAIA 3), and a short walk to SM Mall of Asia. The location itself is one of the reasons why Golden Phoenix Hotel became my favorite accommodation in Manila.
There are plenty of food establishments in Quezon City alone, so you definitely won't run out of options. But if there's a certain area in town that you shouldn't miss out on, then that would be the eateries along Mother Ignacia Avenue. I live just a few minutes from the locale, so I decided to check out the nearby food joints with my friend Sarah, and soon discovered 2 LAZCANO.
I always come prepared when I travel. And I also make sure that I have my first-aid kit and my over-the-counter medicine with me at all times. Of course, I also pack ready-to-eat snacks for emergency purposes. But on normal days, are you prepared to tackle any disaster-related situation when one finally strikes? Well, I am!
We all know that disaster strikes when we least expect it. The question is, are you willing to get caught in the storm unprepared? As for me, I don't want to take any chances. You can actually make a contingency plan by building your own "Grab Bag" for starters. A Grab Bag consists of basic items that should last you for at least 2 days. These essentials should be able to cover you until conditions (bad weather and other disaster-related cases) are safer.
It's always an enriching experience whenever I join Familiarization Tours. Not only do I get the chance to meet like-minded individuals, I also get to learn more about the locale, its culture, traditions and significant sites. And having been invited to explore Bataan for two days made me appreciate my country more.
A lot has happened since my last travel in April. I was so preoccupied with a lot of things (my wedding, my family's visit from the US, and my operation), that it was difficult for me to find time to blog. And to make matters worse, just a mere week before I would walk down the aisle, a health problem turned up. But God was really good to me, as my condition didn't worsen through the 4 weeks that had me running errands. Of course, I was a bit sad when my doctor advised us to cancel our honeymoon in El Nido, to lessen the risks on my end. But nothing mattered more to me than to be well and fit until my scheduled surgery. As I write this, I'm already 2 weeks post-op. I'm also happy to be recovering this fast, and to be sitting up again. Finally, I can share some of the photos from our travel-inspired, civil wedding.
I feel immensely fortunate to live in an age where freedom is now every Filipino's right to embrace. It makes me feel more grateful of the men and women who fought and sacrificed their lives, so that future generations will continue to experience a better life. I owe my present to those who've went to battle in the past, especially to the honorable war soldiers of Bataan.
Booking an airplane ticket and getting freebies with it is quite rare these days, especially with our choice of low cost carriers in the Philippines (i.e. Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, PAL Express), where food, seats and specialty items are paid at an additional cost. But have you tried booking for a round trip bus ticket that offered extra stuff without any charges? You bet it exists, and it can be found via Biyaheroes -- a website that lets you book and choose your bus seats. With Biyaheroes, you’ll no longer experience long lines and unsure departure times. You won’t even need to visit any of the partner bus terminals just to reserve your tickets because you can do it all online!
Good news, travel bugs! Traveling to the "Land of the Rising Sun" is now made more affordable with the latest international offering from Jetstar Japan. Japan's largest low cost carrier (LCC) has finally come to Manila. They’ve recently announced that they would start offering their low-fare services from three of their Japanese ports (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya), which will fly direct to and fro Manila. These three Manila routes will begin their operations at NAIA Terminal 1 starting mid-March.
2015 has been a rollercoaster of emotions: physically, mentally and financially. Nevertheless, I tried for the bad things to never get the best of me. Thankfully, I was still blessed with a few travels this year, some of which have helped rejuvenate my weary soul.
Siem Reap, Cambodia (May 2015)
This year, I am grateful for old and new friends who I've met on the road and who've kept me sane. I am thankful for the people who've been around, especially when things got a little too difficult for me to handle.
I can't remember the last time I visited an army camp in the Philippines. So it was exciting for me to explore the 33-hectare Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, which also happens to be the second biggest military reservation in the country.
I would've gone sooner if I knew how gorgeous Vanilla Cupcake Bakery is. The place is so chic and sophisticated that I could stare at every nook and cranny all day. Luckily, I was able to see several of its offerings while attending an event that VCB hosted at their Mother Ignacia branch. And since I'll be getting married in a few months, I saw how the brand's overall decor can be potentially incorporated in my travel-inspired wedding.
Capiz isn't named the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines" just for nothing. It's a must-visit local destination, as the province has a never-ending supply of prawns, mud crabs, and shellfish. You name it, they surely have what you're craving for!
I had the privilege of participating in the Grand Marikina Tour last October 24, which was organized in time for the Sapatos Festival. Along with notable media people and Marikina bloggers, we were taken around the city by the wonderful Public Information Office team (special mention to Charlie and Ela), and the very bubbly Mr. Brian Tenorio.
After our short briefing, we proceeded to our first Shoe Factory in Marikina: Bristol Shoes. I've been to the city several times since 2014, as I've been managing a small shoe venture as well. Not that I'm looking to transfer suppliers, but I never really had the chance to explore its neighboring businesses. So it was a nice opportunity to get acquainted with other shoemakers who were also into manufacturing and distribution.
I love doing walking tours, as it gives me a chance to grasp and recognize all the noteworthy sites at a steady pace, just like the Heritage Walk in Roxas City (formerly called Capiz). It may have been a short trip. But I definitely enjoyed the nearby attractions, as each one was remarkable and travel worthy.
I had the privilege of meeting some of the people who manage the Cadimahan-Libotong River Project. Other than being recognized as one of the major tourist attractions in Roxas City, this particular undertaking is also known for promoting Eco-cultural tourism and more.
Capiz, the Center of Seafood Trip Tourism in
the Country, was not an immediate destination in my list of places to see in the Philippines.
I’ve been allergic to crustaceans for as long as I could remember, so I delayed the idea of traveling to the province. But when an opportunity to visit the seafood
capital was offered to me, I just couldn’t say no. And it was one of the best
decisions yet, as exploring parts of Capiz showed me so many interesting places
and eats, several of which I would’ve missed if I overlooked the chance to explore the booming region.
Life has been challenging the last couple of months, that all I yearned for was some rest and relaxation, to help rejuvenate the senses. The universe finally heard my silent pleas, thus granting me a weekend that was filled with positive energy and inspiring people. I was brought back to a happy place, a happy home that once welcomed me with open arms. And like a giddy child, excited to explore once more, I was back in Zambawood.
Ever since our stay at Tune Hotel, Downtown Kuala Lumpur, Rubel and I talked about staying in one of their Philippine-based hotels. And given that they have plenty in and out of Manila, we decided to try one of their nearby branches, and booked 2-nights in their Ortigas branch (summer of 2014).
I started looking for wedding venues in Quezon City right after getting engaged, since we wanted a nearby space that could be turned into both a ceremony and reception place. We've already decided to do a very simple wedding, so planning things on a very limited budget had to be carefully considered. I believe that we’ve come to think and act the way we do due to us being budget travelers. So we definitely wanted our practical and resourceful side to show, without leaving out a few wedding traditions.
***UPDATED LIST*** I'm obsessive compulsive. But I've always seen this 'trait' as an advantage. Not only does being OC keep me on my toes. It also helps me to be coordinated and disciplined at all times. Being an OC traveler has certainly pushed me to be more organized with my trips. And whenever I plan my travels (local or international), I always make sure to produce certain 'lists' that will help show my progress in the planning stage. This way, I won't have any excuse to forget things. Moving forward, I have my (1) things to do, (2) things to bring, (3) trip itinerary, (4) and of course, my expense/budget sheet. These four elements always assist me from the beginning until the end of my trip.
Now, as a traveler who's always on the look out for reasonably-priced trip deals, I'm also constantly searching for affordable travel essentials that will help keep my trips more meaningful. So with that in mind, I'll be sharing to you some of my travel must-haves. Some of which never fail to keep my trips fun and hassle-free.
My Travel Essentials:
1) Point & Shoot Camera - I traded my DSLR Nikon D40 for a Nikon P300. Yes, it was a downgrade. But purchasing the P300 was super worth it! Not only did it lessen the load off of my shoulder (considering its weight), the bulk of having to bring the camera bag, my lenses, weren't a burden to me anymore. I did enjoy having a DSLR back in the day. But I enjoy more, the lightweight wonder of my new camera. The Nikon P300 is remarkable for a Point and Shoot. It has a Nikkor 4.2X wide optical zoom, and a bright f/1.8 lens. Other than that, it's also able to capture FULL HD movie/s. Awesome gadget, right? :)
A 2013 Philippine Statistic Authority study says that around 9.4 million Filipinos aging fifteen and up traveled within the country for leisure in 2012. That number sounds like a lot of people. But in fact, that is just barely 15% of that age group, and not even 10% of the country’s total population. Roughly 85% of Filipinos stay within their home and work vicinities all year long. For Filipinos, traveling usually means visiting relatives. Leisurely vacations are something we rarely give priority to.
It feels different when you've been to a place that you've passed by a few times, yet you never really took the time to appreciate it. That's what I felt towards Libis and nearby Eastwood City. Now, regardless of these two areas being located in Quezon City (my hometown), I still never made the time to explore much of either, as it was a far commute from where I lived. But when I was recently given a chance to stay at Microtel by Wyndham - Acropolis, I realized how much the locale has changed since the last time I was there.
I've lived in Quezon City all my life. But there are still so many places in my hometown that I haven't explored yet. Fortunately, I was recently invited by Microtel PH to join their City Media Familiarization Tour, along with several travel bloggers. I've actually been to a few of the city attractions that were listed on the itinerary. Surprisingly, several of the QC sites that we visited were new to me.
The plant box was a gift from the Tapia Family for Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon.
I was already planning on booking a hotel somewhere in Quezon City, so that I could give myself that much needed R&R. But I no longer had to, as I was recently invited to a weekend stay in two of Microtel's well-appointed hotels: Microtel-UP Technohub and Microtel Acropolis.
Several people have wondered why our LAKHAMBINI shoes are priced the way they are. But then I ask myself: why not that price range? If you only knew how much we value the process in which the material is made, up until the construction of the shoes (and how they're very comfortable when worn), then you'll know that owning a pair is truly worth every peso. :)
My best friend got married last December, and her wedding was held in St. Benedict Church by Ayala Westgrove Heights. Since it was a destination wedding, my family and I decided to stay in Laguna for the night to avoid the late drive back to Manila. Several factors came with looking for a proper accommodation, like the location for example. I, for one, needed a hotel that wasn't too far from the church or reception venue (Angelfields Nature Sanctuary). I also wanted a nice lodging that would accommodate the needs of my family, especially with an 8-month old baby traveling with us [Click Here]. That's when I found Microtel, South Forbes. It was so perfect because not only was it 5 minutes away from the church, it was also a 30-minute drive to the reception venue.
This world-class Laguna hotel is located inside South Forbes, "a 500-acre, world-class township with residential, entertainment, academic, and sports components that encompasses the Metro Sta. Rosa-Silang-Tagaytay growth corridor". We loved that it was just minutes away from Nuvali Sta. Rosa, Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay City and Laguna Technological Park.
If given the extra funds when traveling, I would book a hotel where all my comforts will be met. So you can imagine how hesitant I was into booking a room at Daylight Inn, Davao. But since I was following a certain budget, and only needed a place to stay in for one night, I took my chances there. Surprisingly, I had a good experience. They even honored my reservation through text message. So that was a plus for me. By the way, this recount was from last year, January 2014 to be exact.
It has been more than a year since Rubel and I celebrated our 6th anniversary at Best Western, A.venue Suites (December 2013). I would've blogged about it sooner. But time just got the best of me!
In our brief time in KL, we spent our days sleeping in the comforts of Tune Hotels, Downtown Kuala Lumpur. It was a hassle-free stay, as we didn't experience any problems from the booking stage to checking out from the accommodations (we loved the staff at Tune, as they were super courteous and helpful). We booked our stay from November 16-18 and 20-22, 2013 (we were in Penang in between these dates), and only had to pay PHP1,500 or 120 Malaysian Ringgit per night.
We availed of the Double Room, which we paid to have a 12-hour AC use, and a day's worth of Wi-Fi access.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, BIYAHERAS! Here's to starting 2015 by sharing to all of you a few tips on how to start your own travel blog.
I started blogging when Live Journal and Tabulas were still in fashion. But I never really focused on a specific niche back then. But when I started traveling more, I decided to create a blog for most of my explorations.
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
